Galway is the City of the Tribes, and Galway International Arts Festival looks to embrace all its tribes, old and new. We always strive to provide a warm welcome and to deliver a positive Festival experience for all.
We are committed to being as accessible as possible and inclusive of all individuals irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, religion, age, disability, race, membership of the Traveller community or socio-economic status.
To see a version of our EDI plan please click here. In the sections below, you can find out about our ticketing policy, venue access and accessibility services for those with additional access requirements. Please note accessibility measures for Galway International Arts Festival 2025 will be announced when the programme is announced in Spring 2025. Should you have any questions, or if you have any specific requests, please email info@giaf.ie.
We have compiled a list of our Festival venues with detailed information on accessible entrance, seats, toilets and nearby accessible parking spots. You can access it here. You can find access information under each venue on the website. When on an event page, the venue listed is clickable and will take you to a separate page with further information.
Please let us know of any special needs or requirements at the time of booking. If you require spaces for mobility devices, such as a wheelchair or scooter, or spaces for a support person please advise the box office when booking. For most ticketed events, venues are fit to accommodate those using mobility devices. Please indicate your accessibility requirements in the comment box at the time of booking.
GIAF endeavours to ensure that all Festival venues are accessible, however a number of partner venues have restricted access including Monroe’s, Róisín Dubh, King’s Head and Galway Arts Centre (ground floor only).
Accessible seating is available in a convenient riser location with great stage sightlines at the Heineken Big Top. The elevated riser is for those using wheelchairs and mobility scooters. It is a non-smoking area, and space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you’d like accessible seating, you should inform the Box Office when booking your tickets so spaces can be reserved for you. There is no guarantee of available space on this riser without a prior reservation.
Concessions on selected shows are available for senior citizens (65 +), unwaged, persons in receipt of disability allowance, asylum seekers and refugees and full-time students with appropriate ID. Concession tickets are for theatre, dance and circus shows only and can be bought online or at the box office where available. Please note customers may be asked proof of status at venues.
Companions are entitled to a free ticket, please contact our Box Office to book this at boxoffice@giaf.ie or on 091 566577.
Guide dogs and assistance dogs are permitted to performances at each GIAF venue however some shows/concerts in Monroe’s live venue may not allow the accompaniment of guide and assistance dogs in the interest of the animals’ own safety. If you plan to attend with a guide dog or an assistance dog, please let us know by contacting the box office at: boxoffice@giaf.ie or on 091 566577.
Performances will additional accessibility measures will be announced as part of the Festival Programme in Spring 2025.
Touch tour of the Festival Gallery (for visually impaired people) took place on Thursday 18th July 2024.
Audio guides were offered for a select number of visual art exhibitions and performances during the 2024 Festival.
Sensory Backpacks are designed for adults and children who may find the festival environment overwhelming and who may have particular sensory needs. The backpacks contain ear defenders, a stress ball and fidget toys.
A limited number of sensory backpacks will be available to borrow during the Festival, more details will be shared closer to the Festival 2025.
We have recently become proud members of the Sunflower Hidden Disabilities initiative. Some disabilities are not obvious to others which can make it harder for some people to believe that someone with a non-visible disability needs understanding and support. The Sunflower hidden disabilities initiative provides a tool which allows people to share that they have a hidden disability by wearing a sunflower in the form of a badge or a lanyard. If you wear one of those you can watch out for our venue managers who will be also wearing a sunflower tool and can provide support. For more information on the Sunflower Hidden Disabilities Initiative, you can click here.